Shilufei’s speech was simple: she refuted Eve’s experience-based argument and exposed the previous student council’s disunity.

Then she highlighted her team’s strengths—young, capable, and… the most insincere word she had to utter.

“Unity.”

No grand visions. No empty promises. Just a question tossed to the audience, leaving judgment to them.

Though Loko drafted the core, Shilufei’s impromptu delivery fully captured its intent.

The applause from below spoke volumes—clear approval of her words.

But Loko suddenly noticed the clapping beside her felt unusually forceful.

She turned. A strand of blue hair caught her eye first.

Her own applause slowed to a stop, shock flooding her gaze.

Charlotte tilted her head, noticing Loko’s stare. “What’s wrong? Didn’t she speak well?”

It wasn’t about *good* or *bad*!

Why was Princess Charlotte here at the academy? Hadn’t she always been tutored privately in the palace?!

Loko’s mind went utterly blank.

Eve, catching Loko’s reaction, glanced over—and froze.

Haya hadn’t come with her. While glaring at Shilufei during the speech, Eve had missed the quiet arrival of a blue-haired figure beside Loko.

Now, seeing Princess Charlotte seated below, applauding Shilufei with clear warmth, Eve’s heart sank.

The Princess enrolling. Appearing right after Shilufei’s speech. Applauding so vigorously.

Anyone with half a brain could guess the royal stance.

And it was true.

Their seats weren’t for spectators—they were reserved for candidate teams. Three per group. With Teresa absent, Charlotte had taken her seat.

All eyes had been on Shilufei. But as the speech ended and gazes shifted toward the reserved section, a new face sparked murmurs.

Students who recognized Charlotte gaped; others leaned in, curious.

Whispers spread like wildfire.

Shilufei stepped down, circling back toward Loko—then halted.

An unfamiliar face sat beside her. Someone she *shouldn’t* know yet.

Imperial Princess Charlotte.

In her past life, Shilufei had met her only once. She knew Charlotte had never set foot in the academy before.

Why was she here *now*? And why did she seem close to Loko… even friendly?

Shilufei’s smile vanished. Her mind turned icy calm.

If Loko knew her… then beyond the York Family, had the royal house also played a hand in her past death?

Given the Yorks’ influence and ties to the throne, the thought felt chillingly plausible.

She’d never suspected Loko’s royal connection before.

So much had been hidden…

She sat down silently beside Loko.

Finally, Loko turned from Charlotte to Shilufei.

“Great speech. You really stunned them.”

“Your script did the work.” Shilufei smiled faintly, then glanced at Charlotte. “Loko… who’s this?”

“Oh—you wouldn’t know her. This is Princess Charlotte of the Empire.”

“Princess…?”

News of Charlotte as heir had barely reached noble circles days ago. Many below remained unaware. Shilufei, with no connections yet, widened her eyes in feigned surprise.

“Just call me Charlotte here,” Charlotte said, her smile warm as spring breeze. “Loko told me about you, Shilufei. I’ll be your classmate now. Please look after me…”

“And your speech was wonderful. I truly enjoyed it.”

Loko’s chest tightened with quiet thrill.

This was the *Imperial Princess*. Public praise = royal endorsement.

Flustered, Shilufei stammered, “R-really? Loko wrote it… I just spoke…”

They exchanged modest deflections—unaware Eve had already slipped from the hall.

…

“So the Princess is backing Teresa’s team?”

“Yes. Whether coincidence or not… she applauded Shilufei *especially* hard. And her closeness to Loko? Hard not to read royal favor.”

In a deadlocked race, one heavyweight’s lean could tip the scale.

Word of Charlotte’s appearance would ripple through campus by dawn. Even Haya’s loyalists might rethink their allegiance.

“Miss… should we try winning the Princess over? Or at least keep her neutral?”

“No.” Haya shook her head. “Her power is beyond our reach. Today can’t be buried.”

She sighed softly. “People climb toward stronger branches. If ours seems too short… they’ll leave. It’s natural. No use forcing it.”

“Then we just let Teresa’s team gain this advantage?”

“Not at all.” A faint smile touched Haya’s lips.

“There’s a saying: *Two tigers cannot share one mountain.* I have one year left. Teresa has four.”

“What do you think *she’ll* make of the new Princess?”

Eve hesitated. “You mean… Miss Teresa might not accept the Princess’s support? Or avoid using her name publicly?”

Haya’s eyes gleamed with approval.

“Exactly. If victory seems owed to royal favor… would she spend the next three years bowing to the throne?”

The York Family stood tallest among nobles. If even their heir appeared to cower before the crown…

Balance would shatter.

And no noble house—not even the Yorks—would let that happen.